1:32 Bf-109 K-4 - Seatbelts Steel (For Kotare Kits)

Messerschmitt Bf 109 K-4 1:32 — seat belts of etched steel, Eduard

This is an accessory set for the cockpit, not an aircraft kit. It contains pilot seat belts made of etched steel in 1:32 scale. Steel shapes differently from brass: it is springier and holds a set shape better once bent, so the belts look naturally draped over the seat. The manufacturer is the Czech firm Eduard.

The real subject

The Bf 109 K-4 was a late production version of the German single-seat Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter from the end of the Second World War. It grew out of the G-10 airframe and was powered by a Daimler-Benz DB 605 D engine. It can be told from older versions by its revised cowlings, the retractable tailwheel and the details of the canopy. Given the large 1:32 scale the interior is clearly visible on a finished model, so the detail of the belts strongly affects the overall impression.

Building tips

Separate the parts with a sharp scalpel on a hard surface, not with cutters. Make the bends over a bending tool or over the edge of a razor blade so that the edges are sharp. Bond steel belts with super glue or epoxy — plastic cement for models does not hold on metal. A natural look comes from bending the belt slightly in your fingers and letting it drape freely over the edge of the seat. If the set is not color printed, apply a primer to the metal first.

Who the set is for

• Builders of Bf 109 K-4 models in 1:32 scale
• Modelers who want a realistic cockpit with an open canopy
• More experienced builders with basic experience of photo-etched parts
• Those unhappy with belts molded onto a plastic seat

This is an accessory, not a kit. The base model, the paints and the glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise. The belts are drawn for the Bf 109 K-4 kit from Kotare; check the match with your kit before buying.